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Friday, April 22, 2016

Vulnerable families drawn
from Sipili area of Ol-Moran Ward in Laikipia West Sub County received Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization
(KALRO) improved indigenous chicken through Laikipia County Household
Economic Empowerment Programme (HEEP).
The beneficiaries received 600 improved indigenous chicken at Ng’arua
Maarifa Centre on April 21, 2016.

The County government
through the County Development Authority is implementing HEEP under the
principle of creating empowerment and self-reliance among beneficiaries. The project
intends to address socio-economic challenges facing the population of Laikipia
County.

One of the beneficiaries receiving the month old chicks

Among the beneficiaries
included 17 vulnerable families that the project identified as people living
below the poverty line. The vulnerable families received five chicks each.

The other beneficiaries received
the chicks at subsidized cost. Instead of paying Kshs 250 each for a month old chick,
they paid Kshs 150 while the County paid the remaining cost as well as
transport.

Mrs. Elcy Kigano,
Laikipia West HEEP Technical Officer said that the project targeted people
living below the poverty line. She said this would help to reduce the poverty
level in the county, which stands at 47 percent.

She said that they
decided on indigenous poultry due to low cost of production compared to exotic poultry.
She noted that cost of feeds is lower as they can free range. They are also
tolerant to many diseases, which reduces veterinary cost. The KALRO improved
chicken also weigh more compared with other breeds.

“The County government
decided to empower communities at the household level as it deemed it as the
best way of eradicating poverty. We are
promoting profitable agribusiness in Laikipia County which can help vulnerable
communities improve their income,” said Mrs. Kigano.

She said that the project
adopted a group model and cost sharing approach with beneficiaries to ensure
sustainability of the various initiatives. The enterprises involved include dairy
goat, indigenous chicken, rabbit rearing, and kitchen garden.

She said that after six
months the beneficiaries would be able to manage 50 birds. In case they get 30 hens,
they can manage as much as 300 chicken afterwards. She noted that this would
ensure that the beneficiaries are not only food and nutrition secure but are
also able to support their families through proceeds from poultry farming.

“We expect that after six
months the vulnerable people in the community will improve their income from
less than Kshs 100 per day to Kshs 300 per day,” said Mrs. Kigano.

Part of HEEP
implementation involves community mobilization, capacity building, acquiring,
and distribution of HEEP components as well as monitoring and evaluation.
Various groups across the 15 wards of Laikipia County have so far benefited
through the various components of HEEP.

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